FM.C.7 LINGERS AT THE POINT OF AN OBJECT’S DISAPPEARANCE AFTER FOLLOWING

In the first 6 months of life, the baby seems to ‘forget’ about an object once it is out of sight. But quite early he may continue to look for a few moments at the point where something has disappeared, as if expecting it to reappear.

How to Assess

Materials: A bright, colourful toy or a line drawing of a face or a bright pattern on a piece of cardboard. A screen, such as a plain piece of cardboard.

Method: Attract your child’s attention to the object at the midline position. Slowly move the object to one side, ensuring that your child is watching it. Then move it behind your screen.

Score plus if your child follows the toy and then maintains his gaze at the point of disappearance for 2 or 3 seconds.

This item is hard to teach – the main thing is to give the child plenty of opportunities. You can remove your screen, or move the object into sight again, to show him that it is still there.